Author - Jerry Paxton

Farming Simulator 22 Platinum Edition Available Now

GIANTS Software upgrades the family-friendly agricultural simulation by releasing the Platinum Expansion and Platinum Edition of Farming Simulator 22. Furthermore, the publisher and developer have over four million copies sold globally since the base game was released almost exactly one year ago. The launch trailer introduces virtual farmers to Silverrun Forest.

20,000 Trees and a Rollercoaster
With the Platinum Expansion, the forestry part of agriculture is heavily refined and extended – with 40+ new vehicles, tools & items from Volvo Group, IMPEX, John Deere, Koller, Komatsu, Pfanzelt, Schwarzmüller, WESTTECH and other renowned brands. The Platinum Edition combines the base game and expansion, driving the machine count to more than 500 authentically digitized vehicles and tools from over 150 real manufacturers.

Silverrun Forest, the most serene map by GIANTS Software so far, welcomes virtual business people with more than 20,000 trees, including sturdy sequoia trees and other new species. The atmospheric blend between agriculture, forestry, and recreational projects sees players shaping the character of the landscape by starting constructions – most impressive: a giant rollercoaster that is built by delivering resources.

Complex Machinery, Fun Logistics
Farmers harvest trees with state-of-the-art machines like the Volvo EC380DL and a variety of harvester heads. They drag logs through the dense forests with winches like the Pfanzelt Pm Trac and overcome impassable terrain with yarders like the Koller K 300-T which spans hundreds of meters of rope wires through the woods. With shipping containers, they deliver the logs to various new production plants or construction projects to build boats, dog houses, or furniture. Many new selling points and production sites are resident in Silverrun Forest.

New Milestone Reached
“One year since the initial release of Farming Simulator 22. One year full of additional content – lots of it completely free of charge – leading up to one of the gameplay-wise most ambitious expansions we ever did”, comments GIANTS Software’s Head of Publishing Boris Stefan.

After Farming Simulator 22 sold 1.5 million copies in the first week after launch and 3 million after nine weeks, GIANTS Software now reaches another sales milestone. “That assures the new, successful, and self-published era of the Farming Simulator brand. An era that sold no less than four million copies of Farming Simulator 22 since launch so far”, says Stefan.

Farming Simulator 22 – Platinum Edition is available for PC, Mac, PlayStation®5 (PS5™), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One – including the base game and the Platinum Expansion. A Year 1 Season Pass is available, containing the Platinum Expansion as well and extending the game with even more content. GIANTS Software will also continue to release free content updates and user-generated content on the official ModHub.

Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis Launches Collaboration With Overlord

SEGA today announced Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis, the free-to-play online action RPG game, has released AC Scratch Ticket: Overlord Style in collaboration with the popular dark fantasy anime, Overlord.

Produced by Madhouse and directed by Naoyuki Itō, Overlord is based on the Japanese novel of the same name written by Kugane Maruyama, which follows Ainz, a veteran player who refuses to log out of a popular DMMO-RPG.

AC Scratch Ticket items include Ainz and Albedo avatar items as well as Voice Tickets, Emotes, Weapon Camo, Stamps, and more to totally transform players into characters from Overlord.

The Global version of PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2 NEW GENESIS includes fully localized text and character voices in English and will remain content current with the Japanese servers. Details can be found at https://ngs.pso2.com/. For additional up-to-the-minute updates, players can follow @play_PSO2 on Twitter, @PSO2Official on Facebook, and @play_pso2 on Instagram.

NetEase Announces Non-Renewal of Licenses with Blizzard

NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES and HKEX: 9999, “NetEase” or the “Company”), one of China’s leading internet and online game services providers, today announced that it anticipates that its licenses covering the publication of several titles of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in China will expire in accordance with their terms on January 23, 2023 and will not be renewed. The affected games are World of Warcraft®, the StarCraft® series, Hearthstone®, Heroes of the Storm®, Overwatch® and Diablo III®.

“We have put in a great deal of effort and tried with our utmost sincerity to negotiate with Activision Blizzard so that we could continue our collaboration and serve the many dedicated players in China. However, there were material differences on key terms and we could not reach an agreement. We hold high regard in our product and operational standards and abide by our commitments to Chinese players.

We are honored to have had the privilege of serving our gamers over the past 14 years and have shared many precious moments with them during that time. We will continue our promise to serve our players well until the last minute. We will make sure our players’ data and assets are well protected in all of our games,” said William Ding, CEO of NetEase.

The net revenues and net income contribution from these licensed Blizzard games represented low single digits as a percentage of NetEase’s total net revenues and net income in 2021 and in the first nine months of 2022. The expiration of such licenses will have no material impact on NetEase’s financial results. The co-development and publishing of Diablo® Immortal™ is covered by a separate long-term agreement and will continue.

Flightsim X-Plane 12 Gets An Official Trailer

Laminar Research is proud to present the brand new trailer for X-Plane 12. The simulator includes 18 unique aircraft models and detailed 3D scenery for more than 17,000 airports around the world – all with new ground textures, towers and pavement effects to enhance realism. X-Plane 12 will be released in December 2022 on PC, Mac and Linux.

X-Plane 12, is the most realistic and powerful flight simulator with real-world physics, accurate aircraft systems and an immersive simulation of the world. X-Plane 12, built by pilots and engineers, is for everyone who craves a realistic flight simulation experience.

Features in X-Plane 12

  • Volumetric 3D Clouds
  • Physics-Based Photometric Lighting Model
  • 18 Aircraft – from the Piper Cub to Airbus A330
  • Worldwide 3D Water
  • Rewritten AI Air Traffic Control System
  • Global 3D Forests
  • Seasonal Textures and Weather Effects
  • Revamped Real Weather Data and Rendering

X-Plane 12 is still in development but you can already try out the Early Access version.

Remember to put X-Plane 12 on your wishlist on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2014780/XPlane_12/

Follow Laminar Research on FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagram and on their website for more information about X-Plane-12.

RØDE Unveils NT-USB+ Professional-Grade USB Microphone

RØDE has today announced a new addition to its industry-leading range of USB microphones, the NT-USB+. Based on the legendary NT-USB, the NT-USB+ is a professional-grade USB microphone loaded with next-generation features. It is also compact, portable and versatile, making it the ideal microphone for musicians, podcasters, streamers and professionals who want to capture studio-quality sound with ease.

KEY FEATURES OF THE NT-USB+:

  • Studio-grade condenser capsule and tight cardioid polar pattern, delivering pristine audio ideal for recording vocals, speech and instruments
  • Ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution Preamp™ and high-resolution 24-bit/48kHz analog-to-digital conversion for professional sound quality with stunning clarity
  • Internal DSP for advanced audio processing powered by APHEX® – including a compressor, noise gate and legendary Aural Exciter™ and Big Bottom™ effects
  • High-power headphone output for zero-latency monitoring, complete with level and mix controls
  • USB-C output for plug-and-play connectivity with computers, smartphones and tablets
  • Includes high-quality pop filter and desktop mount – an all-in-one solution for recording professional sound at home or on the go
  • Designed and made in RØDE’s state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney, Australia

A LEGEND REBORN

The NT-USB+ is based on the original NT-USB, which was released in 2014 and has long been an industry-standard professional USB microphone for musicians, podcasters, streamers and other creators. Featuring the same iconic form factor and studio-quality sound as the original, the NT-USB+ builds on this legacy with a number of next-generation enhancements and is set to become a modern classic.

“The original NT-USB was an instant success when it launched almost a decade ago, setting a lofty standard for studio-quality USB microphones,” said RØDE CEO Damien Wilson. “With the NT-USB+, we are setting a new standard. We have kept the form factor and functionality that made the original such a success and introduced several new features, integrating cutting-edge technology for the next wave of creators. Plug-and-play USB audio has never sounded this good.”

STUDIO SOUND AT HOME OR ON THE GO

The NT-USB+ features a studio-grade condenser capsule that evokes the sound of a classic large-diaphragm condenser microphone. Delivering warmth and clarity, with a full frequency response and tight cardioid polar pattern for clear, focused audio, it excels on everything from vocals and speech to acoustic guitar and other instruments. The NT-USB+ features enhanced circuitry, with RØDE’s ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution Preamp™ technology – first introduced with the groundbreaking RØDECaster Pro II ­– as well as upgraded high-resolution 24-bit/48kHz analog-to-digital conversion for pristine audio quality.

It also features powerful internal DSP, which allows users to apply advanced APHEX® processing to their audio. This includes a high-pass filter for cutting out low-end rumble, a noise gate for eliminating background noise, a compressor for delivering punchy and balanced sound, and the legendary Aural Exciter™ and Big Bottom™ effects for rich, broadcast tone.

This studio-quality processing can be activated via the companion app RØDE Central – available for desktop and mobile – for use with any other software or application. It is also available in RØDE’s free podcasting and streaming software, RØDE Connect.

SIMPLICITY, PORTABILITY AND VERSATILITY

Not only does the NT-USB+ sound amazing, but it is also incredibly easy to use, portable and versatile. It features a class-compliant USB-C output that is plug-and-play compatible with Mac and Windows computers; it is also fully compatible with any Android or iOS smartphone or tablet, making it an excellent portable recording solution.

It comes with a professional pop filter for minimising plosives, as well as a tripod mount for perfect positioning on a desktop. It also features a zero-latency headphone output for monitoring audio with no distracting echo or delay, complete with level and monitor mix controls. With its plug-and-play connectivity, included extras and all-in-one design, the NT-USB+ is the ultimate microphone for anyone who wants to record professional sound effortlessly.

The NT-USB+ is shipping worldwide and available now for US$169. To find out more, head to rode.com/nt-usb-plus.

Dune: Spice Wars Gets Third Early Access Update

Dune: Spice Wars, the 4X real-time strategy game from Northgard developer Shiro Games and co-publisher Funcom, is today launching its third major Early Access update. After adding multiplayer and the Imperial House Corrino faction in the previous update, Shiro Games is excited to significantly expand the game yet again by adding a whole new dimension to combat with flying units, along with a long list of other improvements and additions across every aspect of the game.

Shiro Games and Funcom are also thrilled to announce that alongside the new update, Dune: Spice Wars has now landed on PC Game Pass!

While combat may see the biggest changes, the additions and improvements touch on every aspect of the game.

As the most recent Dune game and the first in two decades, Dune: Spice Wars weaves the universe’s deep lore and themes into its gameplay. In the Air & Sand update, players see the expansion of several of these mechanics, such as spy missions, political resolutions, and brand-new Spacing Guild mechanics.

Additionally, balancing has been tweaked, quests updated, the UI and multiplayer chat system improved, new village features and Sietches added – the list goes on. Gather intel, garner political authority, make plans within plans within plans, and predict those of your opponents. The Spice War rages on.

Dune: Spice Wars is available on PC game Pass and is now 20% off on Steam. Experience the innovative blend of 4X and real-time strategy on the legendary planet of Arrakis and join forces or compete for the spice with friends in multiplayer. Discover more on https://spicewars.dunegames.com.

Funcom also recently announced that they are developing Dune: Awakening, an open world survival MMO set on Arrakis. For more information visit www.dunegames.com.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns Welcome to the Abbey Trailer

Sharing a quick heads up that a new video for Marvel’s Midnight Suns was released today. Titled “Welcome to the Abbey,” this trailer showcases how players will Live Among the Legends and explore The Abbey — their very own mystical secret base — to discover powerful hidden items and secrets to aid them in the conflict against Lilith and her minions.

Also released earlier this week, the third Prequel Short — “Hell On Wheels” — features Robbie Reyes, a young mechanic who is possessed by a Spirit of Vengeance, making him the Ghost Rider!

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is available for pre-order today and will release globally on December 2 on Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5*.

For more information on Marvel’s Midnight Suns, visit www.midnightsuns.com, become a fan on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube, follow on Twitter and Instagram, and join the conversation using the hashtag #DarknessFalls.

*Launch timing for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch versions of the game will be shared at a later date.

Risen Coming to Xbox One PS4 and Nintendo Switch

Faranga needs a new hero – will you heed the call? THQ Nordic is excited to announce that Risen is coming to PlayStation®4, Xbox One™, and Nintendo Switch on January 24, 2023. THQNordic has partnered exclusively with GameStop to bring Risen to PS4 and Switch players in North America. The Cult RPG that follows the game design direction of the early Gothic games will be finally running smooth and in its full quality on console platforms, while the old PC version will get a gamepad support update.

Delve into the gritty and atmospheric world of Risen, where every action has a consequence. Master the sword, learn the art of staff fighting, or become a powerful mage, forging your path across a land filled with mysterious earthquakes, fearsome monsters, and unimaginable treasures.

Explore the mysterious volcanic island Faranga and the heavy tremors which bode ill for its inhabitants. As ancient temples have risen from the ground, they are bringing with them bizarre creatures that terrorize the area – are you brave enough to face the dangers? Find yourself caught amidst rebellion, tyranny, and mystic rituals. It is up to you to decide which way the pendulum of fate will swing.

Starsand Launch Trailer

Do you feel it? Do you feel the heat on your body, the thirst in your throat, the panic rising in the fight for pure survival? No, you are not dreaming! You are actually here, on this strange, eerie desert planet, in the midst of desperate loneliness.

Rub the sand out of your eyes, fire up your console or PC and face the adventure! Starsand is available now for Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One Nintendo Switch™ and PC (1.0 release).

Far away from any civilization, you fight your way through lonely dunes, always looking for the next watering hole, which, however, not only holds water and food for you. In the oases lurk just as great dangers as in the vastness of the desert. Be careful, explore the world with all its peculiarities and decipher the all-encompassing mystery. Build a strong base/fortress to protect yourself from the many dangers that lurk.. Not everything that awaits you here seems to be of earthly origin….

You wonder why you of all people ended up here? There is a reason for everything. Find long forgotten scriptures, explore partially decayed monuments, build weapons and find extraterrestrial materials that open up new possibilities. Hunt, plant and harvest your fruits.

With a little luck and effort, you will find an animal friend. Camels will make your travels easier. Take good care of them, they will help you and they will help you overcome your loneliness as a loyal companion!

Defy the dangers! Heat, cold, enemies, alien creatures and whims of nature – there are many ways to die here, but only one to survive!

Are you brave enough?

Then start Starsand now!

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick is Available Now

Best-selling gaming headset and accessories maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: HEAR) today announced its highly-anticipated Turtle Beach® VelocityOne™ Flightstick is now available. Designed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PCs, VelocityOne Flightstick is the gaming flight stick of the future. Whether you’re an air combat or space ace, the VelocityOne Flightstick is a joystick designed for all forms of flight, giving immersive and accurate controls for navigating the top air and space flight sim and combat games. VelocityOne Flightstick boasts eight control axes, including contactless hall effect sensors on the main X&Y axes, that provide precise control, while two multifunction levers operate main engine power and the adjustment of control surfaces. The VelocityOne Flightstick’s precise nano trim wheel allows for fine tuning of altitude, and an OLED Flight Management Display makes for easy adjustments. Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne Flightstick gives gamers on Xbox and Windows PCs a multitude of flight controls with 27 programmable buttons, a rapid-fire trigger, an integrated trackpad, and Bluetooth® connectivity to its companion app.

VelocityOne Flightstick is available now from www.turtlebeach.com and participating retailers for a $129.99 (£119.99/€129.99) MSRP.

“Our VelocityOne Flightstick gives sim gamers in the skies and in space an unmatched, modern controller experience that’s ready for today and tomorrow’s AAA flight-based games,” said Juergen Stark, Chairman and CEO, Turtle Beach Corporation. “VelocityOne Flightstick is perfect for fans of Microsoft Flight Sim 2020, X-Plane, Elite Dangerous, War Thunder, Star Citizen, Everspace, and Star Wars flight games, whether you want to fly casually or go rocketing through space. With VelocityOne Flightstick now added to our growing VelocityOne family of products, both the flight sim and gaming communities can fly confidently knowing the controller in their hands delivers superior performance.”

Full details on Turtle Beach’s all-new, groundbreaking VelocityOne Flightstick include:

  • 8 High-Precision Axes: High-resolution, contactless sensors on the main stick axes (left/right, forward/back, and twist) provide precise response and extended longevity to the main stick controls. A nano trim wheel allows for fine tuning of attitude, and an analog POV hat delivers finite adjustment to cockpit views or strafe thrusters in space sims.
  • Multifunction Throttle & Flap Levers: Throttle levers control main engine power, while flap levers let gamers quickly adjust secondary control surfaces. Plus, swappable throttle tops allow for customization of controls for fighter jets, or airliners.
  • Multiplatform Compatibility: Connect via the included 10 ft/3m USB-C to USB-A cable and play fan-favorite titles on Xbox or Windows PCs with an integrated input mode switch. Optimized for maximum compatibility on each platform, the VelocityOne Flightstick is built for navigating air and space flight simulation & combat games on Xbox and Windows PCs.
  • 27 Programmable Buttons: Equipped with an 8-way digital POV hat, rapid-fire trigger, stick-mounted buttons, dual throttle lever detents, and eight programmable base buttons, gamers are well-armed with controls for their most critical flight functions.
  • Flight Management Display: An integrated OLED Flight Management Display lets gamers tune performance to suit the game being played. Plus, pilots can adjust control profiles, trim wheel input mode, rudder lock and more.
  • Flight Configuration Wheel: Navigate the Flight Management Display and configure the Flightstick using the intuitive rotary dial with click at base of the stick. Browse through the configuration options and update the product performance in real-time with all information stored in on-board memory.
  • Touchpad Navigation Sensor: The touch sensor with precision button press gives full control of mouse cursor functionality, which is ideal for navigating simulation systems, and can also be used for weapon control in popular air & space combat sim titles.
  • Ambidextrous Design: Designed to control fighter jets or airliners, the main stick has an ergonomic, ambidextrous shape with a reversible wrist rest. Plus, with eight programmable base buttons, gamers can set up the controls to their exact preference regardless of which hand is on the controls.
  • Pro-Aim™ Focus Mode: Adjust main stick sensitivity for accurate enemy targeting and precise control of landings.
  • The Turtle Beach Audio Advantage: Connect any 3.5mm headset and take advantage of proven Turtle Beach audio functions like Superhuman Hearing®, EQ modes, Mic Monitoring, and Game & Chat Balance.
  • Xbox Navigation Controls: Effortlessly control your console with licensed Xbox buttons. An additional white LED indicates successful connection and operation.
  • Bluetooth Companion App: Connect tablets or smartphones to adjust product performance on Windows PCs using the Flightstick app available for iOS & Android devices.
  • Adjustable RGB Lighting: Set the color, brightness, and response of multiple RGB LED zones.